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Top Recommendations on Travel Items You Should Pack On Every Trip
Looking for the best travel essentials to make your trips hassle-free? As a Caribbean traveller, you need the right gear to navigate everything from long airport lines to international adventures. Smart packing with essential travel items can transform your journey from stressful to seamless, whether you’re island-hopping within the Caribbean or exploring destinations worldwide. From TSA-approved locks to portable chargers, these must-have travel accessories will ensure you’re prepared for any situation abroad. Here are the top travel essentials every Caribbean traveller should pack for smooth, comfortable, and secure trips.
These are listed in no particular order of hierarchy or importance, so browse as you see fit.
Strutting Down The Jet Bridge in Tocumen Int’l Airport With My Fave Personal Bag
Good quality personal travel bag
If you intend to become a frequent flyer, I’d suggest you invest in a personal travel bag of great quality to carry with you on every journey abroad. Even with the most basic fare pricing, every passenger is allowed to carry at least a personal bag onboard the plane free of charge. So whether you’re jetting off for a weekend or embarking on a month-long expedition, you can’t go wrong with having a personal bag on deck!
I’ve had one since 2022 that has become quite a statement piece amongst onlookers, and I carry it on every trip for functional and aesthetic reasons. It holds my important documents, medications, tech gadgets, content gear and sometimes a few other miscellaneous items. If you’re in the market for one, you can shop my exact bag here: Bange Travel Bag.
Ladies, it’s a more masculine design, so it may not float your boat, but put your partner, brother or father on game.
TSA-approved Locks for your Luggage
Your suitcases and travel bags store your most prized possessions, and you need to protect them at all costs. Any luggage that you’re checking in for a flight should always have a proper lock on it to protect your valuables. Even with a built-in lock, you can never go wrong with another combination lock to safeguard your stuff from theft.
For my hostel aficionados, you will also know that a lock is paramount when staying at a hostel. I’ve often used my locks on hostel lockers as well to secure my bag and important items on the inside. If you’re in the market for travel locks, check here: Some Cutesy and Demure Locks.
There are a couple of different colours also.
Fast-Drying Towel
Again, if you’re a younger traveller like myself who loves a good hostel, oftentimes you’re going to need your own towel. Even if you’re at a hotel or Airbnb and heading out on day trips that involve hiking, water, etc., a towel and especially a fast-drying one is a life-changer. I can’t tell you how many times my travel towel has saved me from drying off with my clothes or paying exorbitant prices to rent towels at some hostels.
As a traveller, you should get a fast-drying travel towel because it’s much lighter than your towel from home, takes up way less space in your suitcase and also dries quite quickly when hung up. You can take a look at mine and see if it suits your fancy: An OG Travel Towel
Portable Charger and Power Bank
If you’re anything like me and love to knock about and adventure off the beaten path while abroad, you NEED a power bank. When you’re connected to data from your e-SIM and simultaneously locked into Google Maps or Citymapper to navigate, your phone battery power will melt away like an ice cream. I got tired of making pit stops at Starbucks’ outlets during my NYC trip in 2024 and decided to purchase a top-notch power bank for my explorations while abroad.
Now, I only have to ensure that it’s charged up at night and I have battery power to last me about 3 full charges and change when outside roaming. I tried this one out so you don’t have to!: Solid Portable Charger
A Portable Luggage Scale
I despise two things at the airport – having to pay for overweight luggage and repacking at the check-in counters to redistribute weight. If you don’t have a luggage scale, you need to get one right now and stop playing games! It will save you all the guesswork and random estimation before and during your travels to ensure your luggage remains compliant with your airline’s baggage policies. Get this bad boy on the cheap: Cheap Luggage Scale I Own
I gotchu!
Universal Travel Adapter
You’ve never known chaos until you touch down in a foreign country and realise they use a completely different electrical outlet than you’re accustomed to. All of a sudden, you can’t charge your phone, laptop, tablet or any device from home, and you’re frustrated.
Save yourself the hassle of having to run to a local tech store and purchase a universal travel adapter with plug options for the UK, US, Europe and AUS/NZ before you go. This is the one I have (had it since 2019 and works beautifully): My Exact Travel Adapter, and this is another solid one I saw with amazing colour options Other Travel Adapters Worth It
Small Toiletry Bag for Travel
Stop using those Ziploc bags! Trust me, I’ve been there before, and it’s not a pretty sight (the gheddo!). Invest in a proper travel pouch for your travel-size toiletries. Of course, you may still use Ziploc bags for your medications and a few essential toiletries in your personal bag, but get a travel pouch for use in your carry-on and checked luggage ASAP. I got one recently, and I never locked back!
Check it out here, there are a couple of colour combinations that you may like My Toiletry Bag
Reusable Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is a must-have for all travellers. We all know how pricey everything at the airport is, especially a bottle of water. Save your hard-earned money for eats and drinks in your destination and buy a reusable water bottle to fill up after you pass through security. Most airports have water fountains with filtered water in their duty-free and departure halls. You’re bound to get thirsty, especially on a long travel day, so ensure that you stay hydrated for FREE.
Highly recommend this inexpensive, travel-friendly bottle out: Affordable Reusable Travel Bottles
AirTags for Your Luggage
One of the greatest fears as a traveller is losing your luggage in transit or arriving somewhere foreign while your luggage is stuck elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is a major possibility, especially with international travel that involves multiple connections through busy airport hubs. The best safeguard is to purchase Apple Airtags and place them in your luggage (thoughts and prayers to the Android crew). I feel so much more confident and relaxed when travelling now, knowing that I can track my luggage every step of the way. Most importantly, I’m always aware when they’re on board the plane, like me before takeoff.
Apple Fam, tap in – Apple Airtags X4
Green squad (Android), I gotchu! – Android Air Tracker Tags
If you’re getting a side bag, get a Good One!
A Side Bag for Your Side Quests
I never leave the house without my trusty side bag, and when I’m travelling, it’s a must-have. Travel 101: Don’t walk around with your phone, wallet and other important articles just lying around in your pockets. In certain destinations (Europe, I mean you!), you will be pickpocketed with the swiftest. Always have a side bag that you wear in front of you or an anti-theft bag when travelling to avoid the avoidable. North Face came in clutch with this banger: My Everyday Side Bag, and it’s going strong!
Don’t say I didn’t tell you!
Travel Size Bottles for Toiletries
Want to travel with your favourite lotions, sprays, creams, skin care, shampoos, etc.? You have two options. Either you throw them all in your checked luggage (and take up about 5-10 pounds of space) or you pack travel-sized versions, store-bought or DIY. If you want to create your own travel-sized toiletries, you need to get the right bottles that meet the 100 ml/g limit for your carry-on and save space in your checked luggage. Unfortunately, most of our favourite products don’t always have travel-friendly sizes readily available. You’ll either need this Cheap 5-Pack Bottles or this 18-Pack Toiletry Bottles to carry all your beauty and grooming essentials.
Neck Pillow
If there’s one thing I regret not being able to carry most times while travelling, it’s a neck pillow. Usually, because of my massive growing locs and not wanting to mess up my hairstyle, I opt out, but I always feel so left out. When my locs were much shorter, I loved a good neck pillow, especially as a window seat warrior. Economy seats can be quite uncomfortable for long periods, so having a neck pillow is a great hack, especially when you want to get some sleep. If you’re looking for an affordable one for your upcoming travels, tap in Relaxing Neck Pillow.
Smart travel starts with having the right essentials in your luggage. As a frequent traveller, I can guarantee that every item on this travel essentials list will make a real difference in your trip experience from start to finish. These aren’t just nice-to-have accessories. They’re must-have travel gear that solves real problems and saves you money, time, and stress while abroad.
Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or planning your first international adventure, invest in quality travel essentials that will serve you for years to come. Remember, if you’re travelling as a group or family, ensure each person has their own gear to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Happy travels, and don’t forget to pack smart!
Disclaimer:
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